Tips to make the most out of everyday family fun

(ARA) - If you thought a day of family fun would bust your budget and take a lot of time to plan, think again. Contrary to common belief, it is possible to plan fun, family-friendly activities without breaking the bank. Here are some valuable tips to get you on the road to celebrating, saving and offering your family more throughout the year.

* Eat-in before heading out. One way to plan an affordable, fun night with your family is to hit the local bowling alley. Go ahead and feed the kids before heading out as it will save you time and money. And be on the lookout for family-friendly offers that provide discounts on bowling. For example, Tony's Original Crust Pizza not only makes for a quick, easy and tasty family meal, but each box contains a coupon for a game of free bowling.

* Look for family discounts. Check out the websites of your kids' favorite local museums and theme parks for printable coupons and family-focused promotions. Some museums offer free admission on select days/times of the week and theme parks sell family packages or two-for-one deals. Ask your kids to help you hunt down coupons so they can also learn about saving.

* Arrange a neighborhood swap. Plan events with other families that bring both parents and kids together, while helping you save time and money. For example, get together with other families for a barbecue and ask them to bring toys, video games or even clothes that their children have out grown to swap with other parents. Have everyone bring a food item to share and invite the whole family, as they'll have a great time playing together while "the elders" swap goods.

* Make it a movie night. Set aside one night each month for a movie night. Let each member of the family take turns choosing a film and plan a night around it. Cozy up on the couch and nosh on your favorite party foods - anything from popcorn to pizza. Get ready for the fun-filled night by stocking up on grocery items when they are offered at a reduced price. If you can't use the items right away, make use of your pantry and freezer space. Frozen pizzas are frequently on sale in the freezer section and make for a great movie night treat. Tony's Pizza is available in several different varieties so you can satisfy your meat-lovers and cheese-eaters alike.

For more tips that are friendly to both your budget and your family, or to share your own smart and savvy tips, visit http://smartandsavvymomscontest.com. Each week, one mom (or dad) with the best value-finding tip will win a year's worth of Tony's Pizza. One grand-prize winner will receive the "Ultimate Family Fun Kit" that includes a year's worth of pizza, a flat screen TV, gaming system and more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent